This child abuse ritual is mostly associated with some Muslim communities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It is a prominent practice in Somalia.

Female Genital Mutilation is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. In some cultures, the vulva is sewn shut, only to be ripped open on the woman’s wedding night.

The practice is designed to curb sexual desire in women.

Along with significant health risk to the young girls, women who suffer Female Genital Mutilation are left with life-long physical and emotional scarring.

Unfortunately, Maine House Democrats voted against banning the barbaric practice of FGM during this past legislative session — around the same time, our neighbors in New Hampshire passed an even tougher ban.

Rep. Sirocki is termed out of office, so hopefully, another lawmaker will step up to the plate and introduce and sponsor the ban in 2019.

Maine First Media covered the FGM ban’s trials and tribulations throughout the 2018 session closer than any other news outlet in the state. Below you’ll find links to all of stories regarding the life — and death — of the bill.

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Think there isn’t “Swamp” in Augusta as there is in DC? Think again. The failure to pass this bill is as bad as it gets. So much for the state legislators working for the PEOPLE! Not passing it so as not to offend the ME Somali community was reprehensible. Whether cultural and/or a religious this barbaric practice has NO business being conducted in ME, the U.S. or anywhere else!

Now the proponents are facing a tedious and expensive referendum process to get it done….and, it will get done despite the ACLU, the Maine Peeholes Alliance or the SPLC!